Herman Suttorp

1936 – 2016
Herman passed away peacefully in Maple Ridge on April 1. Born in The Netherlands, Herman followed his dream and came to Canada, a country of peace, freedom and opportunity. He will always be remembered for his passion for life, his great appreciation of nature, and his love for family and friends. He taught us to follow our dreams, set goals, never give up, and to “carpe diem”. He will be dearly missed.

I will miss Herman very much. He will always be remembered by myself as a friend, mentor and valued client. He was such a great guy. I was so lucky to have known him. Kindest regards and sympathy go out to all of Hermans friends and family. RIP

To all family members and all dear friends: we will always miss Herman’s contagious good spirit and positive outlook. We have always called him a “bon vivant” – Herman lived life to the fullest and always made us feel like family! He will live forever in our family as someone who followed his dreams with intrepid determination! And he always remembered what we like and shared it generously and sincerely.
Our condolences to Herman’s dear ones.

My sincerest condolences to Herman’s family. I remember so many Wed nights at Rotary with Herman. Highly principled, great humor and a desire to help those who needed it most. I am sorry to see him leave us.

My heart felt sympathies to Nel, Viviene, Audrey, and the rest of Herman’s family and many friends. The first time I met Herman as customer at my workplace, he was wearing a dutch fisherman’s cap. I introduced myself and complimented him on his “Greek fisherman’s cap”! He grinned and thanked me for the compliment, in his slight dutch accent. He them let me know that although Greek fishermen wear a cap that is similar, his cap was that of a dutch fisherman!! We became fast friends, sharing our stories about travel to Greece! I will truly miss listening to his many interesting stories about the people and places that he loved. I am heart broken for all those who loved Mr. Suttorp, including my self. Rest in peace, Friend.

Herman, a firm bourgondier with a large network was acquainted to almost everyone in the world it seemed. Not only that, but we also looked up a bit to him. Emigrating later in life with your family to Canada is no daily experience seen around you. Although it was something he had wished for a long time, we could understand it, because we ourselves had old desires as well.
But doing it, especially if you’re doing pretty well in the Netherlands actually, that’s different. Herman could chat well and with conviction. That was already during his studies the case.
We were always convinced on that subject, but a proof of the pudding was to see when he managed as an economics student, to arrange an interview with the big boss of Krupp, Herr Beitz. Do your homework, call, convince your conversation partner that he is better off with you, and vrooommm, off you go !!!
In storytelling, he was a master. The fireplace chimney of the neighbours which ended up in the closet upstairs because they simply forgot the upper floor was changed years before and the chimney ended in a cupboard. But the story that he made around it was grade one class. Imagine a house full of smoke bursting from an open door, a neighbour jumping out to ask Herman: Is this normal??
These are two sentences, but Herman needed about three quarters to tell the story in full detail plus smell. Much like our fishermen stories.
And at the farewell evening before leaving for Canada with Aad and Joep at home, we doubled up with laughter with his stories
In case of immigration, the family has to agree because otherwise there is no guarantee for success and they all agreed. And Herman had done his homework. British Columbia it had to be because of the shifting interest from Atlantic to Pacific side. Go west young man!
With a bag of money, from selling their house in Roelofarendsveen they moved to Maple Ridge, and bought a patch of virgin forest and built their house. Complete with stables, a barn, sheep, chickens, bears and a dog. True that things most likely would ever be placed in a city expansion as a fund for retirement. It was good considering but unfortunately, marriage problems arose, which changed everything.
However the Netherlands and Delft were not forgotten. Thanks to the internet we could better ask him what was going on here than trying to find it in the newspaper. And at every occasion when he was here, to keep his association with the jaarbeurs going on, after business we knew how to find the pub with billiards one block away, as a nostalgic memory of our college past
To practicise all this he had to park in front of our house and we could see him struggling and trying to squeeze the car in a narrow parking lot. It ended mostly in looking for a double one. You could see that he was totally unaccustomed given the dimensions of American cars and parking lots.
Very special was the fact that he was always very attentive in keeping anniversaries etc. He never forgot one. The message started with the information that it was in BC wonderful weather and the birds whistled, the foliage is softly rustling and the sun was filtered through it and then you were very poetically informed that your birthday was today, or we were married for so many years. An outright pleasure.
France also took a special place with him. The good land he boasted. Staying in Moissac-Bellevue was a highlight. Especially when he was cooking. Grilled chicken from Aups! and the International Herald Tribune newspaper as recipe. And trips to the Gorges du Verdon, to monasteries, to Romanesque churches but especially for attractive terraces with good food there. These he could enjoy and we agreed.
Also notable, if there was something special in Holland or Delft, you could take for granted that Herman was the best informed thanks to the internet and better than we were.
Another particularity of Herman was his skill to be somewhere where special things were at hand, all by chance. The former biology teacher Speyer, the foundation of Herman’s stamp collection, 90 years and celebrated in The Hague and who was there as a chance visitor?
Or not nice, but again by chance he witnessed the funeral of his friend Arie de Boo friend. Again by chance, the same occurs at the funeral of Mrs. Tinbergen German teacher and for many years well known in Delft always seen in a beige raincoat, but with the spirit of Max van der Stoel our late minister of foreign affairs, both with stainless steel integrity
And so it comes to my mind to consider his own farewell that you are now celebrating with the remembrance party on lighter tone
Presumably with Joep, the house where he was so happy. Only in spirit is he present there now and he will remain a memorable figure for many of us. That’s here in Delft certainly the case.
For Nel will be quite uncomfortable to be alone but for her will surely also the memory of the good hours continue to predominate.
We, Margo, the children and I wish her- and everyone- much courage and support.

Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields

Condolence

Name*

Email*

Select an image for your comment (GIF, PNG, JPG, JPEG):

Share This Obituary

Your Name*

Your Email*

Their Name*

Their Email*

Message

Information about Preplanning

In life we preplan for many events that will occur in the future, such as weddings graduations, birthdays, vacations, even retirement. Today more than ever, many people understand the value of preplanning their own funeral arrangements. Continue Reading...